polymods: (Default)
polymods ([personal profile] polymods) wrote in [community profile] polylogs2021-07-02 03:00 pm

Something in the air...

POLYMYTHOS: THE ISLE THAT BLOOMS

The Isle That Blooms


Ⅰ. ARRIVAL
You can read all about your character's arrival in the game lore.
This is the first isle you can smell before you see it rising on the island. It starts with the faint hint of growing things that blossoms into a floral scent that teases you with the combination of familiarity and the unknown. The next breeze seems to carry you closer even as it coats everything in a delicate wash of golden pollen that only the Ferryman seems to be able to avoid.

Do you like your lips to taste the gritty sweetness? Or are you already starting to sniffle? Either way, the island starts as a smudge then turns into a riot of color as it reveals itself.

The Isle that Blooms lives up to its name as flowers vie in a silent war of roots and strangling vines to cover every viable surface with sprays of color and vibrant pulsing life. There are signs of human life in the form of a village built on stilts and full of little anachronisms like a glowing neon sign that hint that the island sees a large number of Travelers come through this place.

And who wouldn’t be drawn to the abundant flora, brightly painted houses, and lively locals?

Everyone seems to be glowing with health as the locals gather near the dock to welcome the latest set of tourists. They come with arms full of flower wreaths and friendly smiles, clearly in control of their faculties and interested in trade. Their clothing is as bright as the paintings on their buildings, as the flowers that surround them, and perfect for the warmth of the day.

Do you notice, though, the absence of any babies or prepubescent children? Or that while there are old people, no one shows signs of the infirmities that come with age? It might be easy to miss, especially as the Isle starts to affect you, too.

The ache in your back from that terrible fall, the craving for that next drink, the trauma that’s too close to the surface, all the petty hurts the build up in a lifetime start to fade as you, too, start to bloom.

Notes:
1. NO GUNS are allowed on this island. The Ferryman will keep them safe for you.

2. These residents of the island are normal humans. Killing them is possible and may affect the color of your Scrywatch.

3. Any type of flower could exist on the island, blooming somewhere, regardless of its real world requirements. Rare ones are difficult to find and magical ones need a check in with the mods.

4. There is nothing preadolescent of any animal species on the entire island, including insects.

5. The island’s ability leaves people as the healthiest, most energetic version of their current selves. Examples: A blind person in otherwise good mental and emotional health would notice minimal changes. A person with a disorder would find themselves having a string of good days. A 50 year old probably hasn’t felt this good since their thirties.



Ⅱ. THE TEMPLE
Orchids in shades of yellow and pink so bright they glow have been trained to grow along the walkways and bridges of the elevated village to guide Travelers to this island’s Temple. The building stands alone at the edge of the Village, extending out in the ocean of flowers that fill most of the isle.


The temple is made of simple stout wood that has been carved and painted in patterns ornate and lovely in a way that speaks of hundreds of hours of creation and maintenance. The same orchids that guided you here gild building and act as camouflage the sleeping porches ring the outside. They are kept private and safe from insects by fine netting, and you will find the bedding soft and fine.

This Temple’s Guardians are a pair of lazing cats with strange spots and scaly wings that regard you with affectionate disinterest as you explore the facilities. There are toilets and sinks, but no baths or showers. The pantries are stocked with edible flowers and fresh fish and the space and tools to cook. If you are brave enough, the Guardians will probably give you practical advice on how to use those supplies. There are new clothes and sandals better suited to the heat, and even practical machetes.

Notes:
1. The Main Temple is still open to those who are brand new to PM.

2. There are paints and carving tools if you want to add to the temple decorations. (Maybe mention it during the Oracle Event if you do.)

3. All fabric items are ridiculously bright and vaguely tie dyed.

4. The marker orchids have a distinctly strong smell of vanilla with a hint of lime.



Ⅲ. THE LOTUS BATHS
CW: fantasy setting drugs.
There’s only so long a person can stand to be covered in pollen, and when you ask the locals, they grin. Oh, you want a bath? There’s a path back to the ground and through the tall flowers to a natural spring. Make sure to head out early, they warn.

It’s always better to be in the village before nightfall, and you are clearly going to take a while.

As you walk the winding path to the baths, the everpresent flowers seem to thin out and even disappear as ground warms and rock rises from rich soil. You can smell the mineral richness of the bright blue pools that form waterfalls over a series of rising ledges. There is life, though, even here, in the form of delicate lily pads that float in rafts around vivid lotus flowers.

If you test the water, you’ll find it’s warm enough to melt the knots out of muscles and make it easy to understand why the few bathers seem to be so languid and relaxed. If you sink all the way in, well, not only will you manage to get clean, but you might find yourself mellowing out even more. So mellow you’ll hardly notice when the pleasant hallucinations start.

You’ll find yourself drawn into visions of your most private joys and of the pleasures you keep to yourself. Maybe it’s a matter of shame or maybe it’s because they’re too precious. There’s one small problem, though. If someone else gets in the same pool, not only will they start to share the same vision, but you’ll start to see theirs too.

Will the fantasies become a nightmare or will you manage to navigate them together? Will you ever be able to look at each other the same way again?
Notes:
1. The hallucinations will end when you leave the water, but only once you and your bathing partner are both out.

2. The flowers are magical and will affect everyone, even robots or super powered people.



Ⅳ. NIGHTBLOOMING
CW: abduction, violence.
You are warned to stay in the elevated village at night. The flower fields are safe enough during the day, but things happen at night. It’s hard to imagine during the day when stingless bees that glitter in jewel colors bumble along and hummingbirds the size of chihuahuas feed from the abundant flowers while squeaking their strong opinions at each other.

But as the moon rises, and most of the flowers close, there’s rustling sounds that make it clear that there are big things moving through that growth. Things that make the hair rise up on the back of a person’s neck. It would take a big prize to make it worth finding out what makes those sounds. A big prize or a reason to face your fears.

There’s a scream in the night. You can ignore it, of course. Not everyone is meant to run towards the scream. It might not even change the color of your ScryWatch.

But if you go to the source of the sound you’ll find a mother weeping openly while other locals gather around to comfort her. It seems her teenager decided that the best way to woo their lover was with glowing flowers that only open under a full moon. The teen has been gone for hours, and the grim expressions on the people around you say his chances aren’t good.

You have a choice to make. Will you go into the dark to face the unknown dangers? Will you offer some other form of comfort? Or will you go back to hide in the safety of the Temple?

Notes:
1. The danger in the flowers consists of six foot tall nocturnal orchid mantises who have the teen pinned in a tree. They are currently singing a human language lullaby to the kid to get them to go to sleep and fall out of the tree.

2. The mantises have a hive mind and will retreat if one of their number is killed, but can also be talked to and negotiated with. They will be willing to trade a regular supply of fish for no longer hunting people.



Ⅴ. SPECIAL EVENT: THE FLOWER ORACLE
In the center of the village, there is a giant flower bud that is bigger than a man is tall. The villagers tell you that you are lucky. You will be here when the Flower Oracle blooms. You will have a chance to speak directly to the Ancient One through the Oracle, and She even answers. All it takes is a little sacrifice.

Notes:
1. During the week of July 12-18, there will be a special event post where characters can choose to interact with the Flower Oracle for a chance to be rewarded, get an answer, get silence, or get punished by the Ancient.

2. Any starter posted during this window will be honored, specifics to come.

3. This event is optional!

Bonus: music to watch the flowers bloom to.


Network · Logs · OOC · Memes · Plurk

hostile_encounter: (8)

[personal profile] hostile_encounter 2021-07-10 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
She is all nerd and significantly squishy in the motivations, and it says something that she'll admit it to Kyle. Past experience says showing that she gives a shit makes her vulnerable, so she tends not to. Kyle is a mess, but not apparently threatening.

"Thank you." Again, she keeps it simple and sincere. Not emotionally effusive this one, but she believes what they're doing is important. "Also, fevers are easy, at least. I bet money there are willows somewhere here, and aspirin is pretty basic."

The outfit about her outfit gets a soft snort as she pauses at another weird plant, this one a vine that's trying to choke a larger flower. "Hard not to with this level of tie-dye. But the color's not bad, is it?" She glances at him. "It even looks decent on you."
Edited 2021-07-10 01:32 (UTC)
kyley_b: (RL museum)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-11 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Non-threatening mess. Yup, that's Kyle.

There's a lot to be said for honesty, and for someone as blunt as Kyle it's not necessary to dress it up in anything. "See, then we're lucky we have you," he points out. "If it's not in a drug store I don't know a hell of a lot about medicine. I'm fucking lucky the Temple gives us stuff we need to live."

He peers at the vine, marveling that plants can choke one another out. "Thanks. Yeah, I don't mind colour. I actually like green a lot, but people tend to make fun of you for that if you're a redhead." He won't say the word 'leprechaun.' It's got too many bad memories.

"So this is your jam back home, right? Super genius botanist."
hostile_encounter: (61)

[personal profile] hostile_encounter 2021-07-11 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
"We're all lucky about the Temple, I'd be shit at having to feed and clothe myself without some significant help."

This is more or less true, but, well, she's a stubborn survival-focused shit. Not that it would be entirely clear as she unwinds the vine and wraps it up in another bit of clean fabric. Not her preferred preservation method, but it works.

"People are assholes." She includes herself in this sentiment as she reorients herself to their original path. "Green would look nice with your hair."

He gets a handful of wrapped-up plants to add to his bag. "Ha! No! Well, kind of but not exactly? I'm stuck making a decent paycheck in a lab job during the day and my own shit when I have the time and energy. What about you?"
kyley_b: (RL hairflip)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-11 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Let me guess: you get wrapped up in your work and forget to eat?" He smiles as he asks, because that's something at least he can relate to.

He follows along, self consciously shoving said hair back when she mentions it. "I guess," he mutters, looking up and away so she might not see him blushing. He looks back to take the plants and stows them away carefully.

"What kinda lab?" He shrugs. "Uhm, just finished up my undergrad. I was supposed ot start law school in September."
hostile_encounter: (56)

[personal profile] hostile_encounter 2021-07-11 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
"It's been known to happen." She has the feeling she's not alone, which is nice. People tend to be way too judgemental about each other's eating habits.

She definitely misses the blush. Even when not this distracted, she's been known to miss emotional cues.

"Bioengineering." More trudging into the plant unknown. "So, this kind of fucks with that plan. Sucks, man."
kyley_b: (RL nerd)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-11 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah. I set alerts on my phone," he admits. It's not something he's proud of, but it's true.

"Damn. At your age, too. But you're a genius, right? That's awesome." He shrugs. "Yeah. Yeah, it does. I can't tell if I'm upset or relieved."
hostile_encounter: hollow-art.com (24)

[personal profile] hostile_encounter 2021-07-12 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Huh. Not a bad idea." Is it something she'll consider if there's ever a smartphone in her life again? Probably.

She pauses, clearly uncomfortable with the genius bit. Which is not because she's not fucking ridiculously smart. It's just something that hasn't felt safe even if it's true for a long time. "Yeah, I guess." She lets the moment pass before focusing on what he said and the greater potential interest. "Why would you be relieved?"
kyley_b: (RL comfy sweater)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-12 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
He perks up, feeling less like a dorky moron. "Thanks."

Kyle looks around, searching for plants that look truly unusual. "Law school is intense," he explains. "My dad, he says first year is the hardest. I'd need to actually move out of the dorms, and that costs money. It's just really intimidating." He pauses to lift up some oversized leaves to peer at some bright yellow blooms. "And it's so final. I think I want to do law. Pretty sure. But I was pushed toward it and I worry I don't have what it really takes."
hostile_encounter: hollow-art.com (5)

[personal profile] hostile_encounter 2021-07-12 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
"You're welcome."

Elenore listens while focusing on the local plants. Getting small amounts of various mint relatives that will probably only make meals taste better. "I mean, no matter what you do, you aren't stuck with that decision forever. It's better to aim at what you ultimately want to do sooner so that you save some time, but it's whatever."
kyley_b: (RL comfy sweater)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-12 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"I guess. Sure doesn't feel that way, though. Hey, these over here look like foxglove, aren't those good for uhm, heart attacks or something? Or is that movie bullshit?"

He steps closer to point at the bright purple stalks of flowers.

"Why'd you get into plants?"
hostile_encounter: (62)

[personal profile] hostile_encounter 2021-07-12 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I'm sure it doesn't." It would be easy to assume she was being dismissive there, when she's just not a big emoter when things get too close to certain lived experiences.

But he definitely has her attention when he mentions foxglove. "Digitalis. Good spotting. An excellent example of bane and blessing growing from the same vine, though. You can kill a person with it or make a variety of medicines." She tosses him another spare shirt to wrap it in.

"About the same way I ended up speaking English. I was surrounded by them and they made sense to my brain. Took me a bit to realize that other people didn't get the same sense of things. Same with bodies, to be honest."
kyley_b: (RL sweet boi)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-12 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Kyle grins at the praise - he's so transparent. "Thanks." He catches the shirt and wraps the flowers carefully.

"Alright, makes sense. I guess if that's all you've ever known it would be a litle jarring to realise it wasn't universal."
hostile_encounter: (64)

[personal profile] hostile_encounter 2021-07-13 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
"You're welcome. And thanks." She's pleased with what a good assistant he is, to be honest.

"It was more jarring to realize it was a good thing. Weird in kids doesn't always get interpreted well."
kyley_b: (RL comfy sweater)

[personal profile] kyley_b 2021-07-13 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
Give the man a task abs he'll complete it to the best 9f his ability. He's an adult now, but still always striving for an A+.

"No. No, it really doesn't. Guess you lucked out."